Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins: NATO's potential must be consolidated when adjusting to challenges of 21st century

On 9 July, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Defence Minister Imants Liegis met the NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who arrived on a farewell visit to Latvia.

During the meeting with the NATO Secretary General, the Foreign Minister and the Defence Minister of Latvia discussed essential issues on cooperation between Latvia and NATO and exchanged opinions on the first five years of Latvia's membership in NATO.

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstiņš expressed gratitude to Jaap de Hoop Scheffer for his contribution to strengthening the Alliance, supporting NATO enlargement and maintaining the military capabilities of the Alliance. Defence Minister Imants Liegis expressed his appreciation to the NATO Secretary General for his support on the issue of airspace patrolling. "I am gratified that your personal viewpoint has contributed to a successful development of the patrol mission in the NATO airspace over the Baltic states," said Mr Liegis.

During the discussion, the NATO General Secretary stressed, that Latvia has proved being a full-fledged Member State of the Alliance both politically and from a military aspect. He made a special note of Latvia's contribution to the NATO operations. Concerning the participation in international operations, Mr Liegis emphasised, that "Latvia will continue the international operation in Afghanistan, in solidarity with other NATO Member States." The participants of the discussion confirmed their common understanding about the need of balance between military and civil contribution in Afghanistan. Mr Riekstins pointed out that the international community should increase its civil role in the renewal of Afghanistan. "The support is of particular importance in the context of presidential and provincial Councils elections in August," said the Foreign Minister.

During the discussion, the NATO General Secretary stated, that he understands Latvia's decision to reduce its participation in the NATO Response Force, and invited to maintain the participation of the Latvian Armed Forces in this project of high importance for the NATO transformation.

Participants of the discussion talked about the development of NATO's new strategic concept and the contribution of the Baltic states in the process of its development. When exchanging opinions on the drafting of the NATO new strategic concept, Mr Riekstiņš pointed at the importance of continuing the transformation of NATO and of adjusting to the challenges of the 21^st century, by strengthening the Alliance's defence capacity, and by considering participation in the international peacekeeping operations.

Jaap de Hoof Scheffer from the Netherlands was elected the NATO Secretary General on 5 January 2004. On 1 August, Anderss Fogh Rasmussen, former Prime Minister of Denmark, will succeed him in his post.

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